Melinda was my first friend at Rutgers and would end up becoming my housemate for two years. I was so envious of her undeniably stunning beauty, but it would be her kindness, love for life and family that I would end up admiring the most. Even back then, she was so full of love—a kind of love that seemed beyond her years. She talked about her parents as if they were her best friends. Most older sisters at that age consider their younger siblings as annoyances. Not Melinda. She talked about Jen as if she was the coolest and prettiest girl anyone would ever meet. Her love for her family was so big. It was no different when she met Ryan. Boy, did she love him. You could smell the smoke from the fireworks those two set off on the night they met in the very cramped dorm room party that Melinda and I happened to check out—the beginning of a love story for the ages. Though we only kept up through Facebook after college, it’s clear that Melinda continued to live and love big with Ryan and their beautiful girls. Melinda, thank you for being my friend, for giving me my first tour of NYC, introducing me to Bumble & Bumble, making me my first sangria, driving me to places in your big, red, Mercury Cougar, and for all the fun memories at the Knight Club and bars in Hoboken. Every time I see a little white dog, I think of you and Bianca. You will always be in my heart, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had you as a friend. Your love and spirit have made this a better world. Love, Anna